AcademyWomen Vision
A premiere networking, professional and personal development community providing a respected source of support and insight for women military officers and veterans throughout all stages of their personal and professional development.
Background
AcademyWomen is a 501c3 nonprofit leadership and professional development organization that bridges the gap of support by providing an unparalleled blend of programs and resources that inspire and connect military women to networks and resources for impact, influence, and fulfillment.
AcademyWomen members and program participants include officer and senior enlisted active duty, national guard, reserves, and former military personnel, military spouses, senior corporate executives, seasoned entrepreneurs, civic leaders, astronauts, scientists, fighter pilots, attorneys, engineers, physicians, combat leaders, ship commanding officers, diplomats, homemakers and more.
AcademyWomen is aligned for the greater good of the military and our nation as it is our belief that every woman who chooses to serve should have access to premier personal and professional support.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Susan Feland, Founder and President
Susan is the Founder and President of AcademyWomen. Susan was the oldest of three sisters to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy. She has worked in space systems acquisitions, taught at the Air Force Academy, and has a wide range of experience in non-profit, government, and corporate roles. Currently, in addition to leading AcademyWomen, Susan manages content and curriculum innovation at Stanford University. Susan has a LEAD Certificate in Corporate Innovation from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, an MA from Middlebury College, a Diplôme from the Université de Paris – Sorbonne and is a 1993 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a BS degree.
Elisabeth Auld, Board Member and OWLS Chair
Col (ret) Elisabeth Auld was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. As an Air Force officer she held roles including Director of Staff, AF Public Affairs; Deputy Director Bases, Ranges, and Airspace; Airfield Operations Officer Career Field Manager. She holds Masters degrees in National Security Strategy from the Naval War College and in Science, Human Resources from Troy University. Elisabeth enjoys community service, writing, podcasting, art, travel, and spending time with family.
Elexa Orrange-Allen, Board Member
Founder and CEO of LEAP Coaching and Speaking Consultants, LLC, brings over 25 years of leadership and business experience as a U.S. Army veteran, former corporate executive, entrepreneur, and executive coach. She partners with leaders and organizations to unlock potential, drive results, and lead with purpose. Elexa is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Trainer, as well as a certified Myers-Briggs, Birkman, Hogan, and DISC Consultant. Her work empowers individuals and teams to grow, perform, and thrive.
Sue Magaletta, Board Member
Lt Col (ret) Sue Magaletta is AcademyWomen’s Director of Marketing. As a career communications and cyberspace operations officer in the Air Force, Sue served in many leadership roles to include Squadron Commander, Joint Special Operations Director of Communications, Professor of Aerospace Studies and SECAF’s Chief Information Office Pentagon Branch Chief. Sue holds Master’s Degrees in Information Resource Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology and in Operational Military Art and Science from Air University. She is a 1995 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. She is also a New York State High School Girl’s Basketball Official and dedicated hockey mom.
Suzy Streeter, Board Member
Colonel (ret) Suzy Streeter is a 1992 United States Air Force Academy. Over her 28 years in the Air Force, she has been a Group Commander, Major Command and Numbered Air Force Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, an intelligence plans and exercises division chief at a sub-unified command, a Squadron Director of Operations, a Squadron Commander, as well as an Air Staff Program Element Monitor and Legislative Affairs Liaison. Deployments include Operation DECISIVE ENDEAVOR and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to leaving the Air Force she helped stand up the US Space Force Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance function.
Board of Advisors
Marene Allison, (US Army, veteran), Worldwide Vice President of Information Security for Johnson & Johnson. Former executive at Medco, Avaya and the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. Ms. Allison served in the United States Army as a Military Police officer and as a Special Agent in the FBI. She is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.
Barbara Barrett, Former United States SECAF and former Ambassador to the Republic of Finland, Madam Secretary Barrett is an international business and aviation attorney. She was the first woman to serve as chair of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, the first woman to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the first civilian woman to land an F18 Hornet on an aircraft carrier. Immediately prior to her service as Ambassador, she was President and CEO of Triple Creek Guest Ranch in Darby, Montana. Ms. Barrett served on the corporate boards of Raytheon and Exponent, Inc., and was a trustee of the Aerospace Corporation, Mayo Clinic and Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Jim McMahon, Assistant Vice President at Travelers. Mr. McMahon’s professional experience is made up of more than 20 years in recruitment and Human Resources. He is currently responsible for the Talent Acquisition activities of Travelers’ International Business and directs Travelers’ military recruitment and outreach efforts. He has been instrumental in the company’s recognition on G.I. Jobs’ Top 100 Military Friendly Employers list annually since 2007 and has been quoted in numerous media outlets related to the recruitment of transitioning military personnel.
Diane Morales, Former Undersecretary of Logistics and Material Readiness, has more than 20 years of experience in business and defense matters. Ms. Morales served as president of DMS, a management services firm that focuses on defense and commercial logistics. Her previous government positions included serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics; as a Board Member of the Civil Aeronautics Board; and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Interior.
Kris Urbauer, (US Army, veteran), Program Manager, Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program. Prior to this role, Kris was responsible for GE’s veterans initiatives in some form since June 2011. Kris led all military hiring for the company, managed the Junior Office Leadership Program (JOLP), led the Transition Assistance Workshop program as part of GE’s sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce Hiring our Heroes initiative, and served as a liaison to the military and veteran community. She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and a Professional Engineer license from the State of Illinois.
Officer Women Leadership (OWL) Symposium Planning Team
Elisabeth Auld, OWLS Chair
Susan Feland, Assistant OWLS Chair
Susan Magaletta, Marketing Chair
Odessa Maxwell, Technical Support
Founding Board Member Emeritus
Jackie Stennett, Founding Board Member Emeritus
Jackie served as a founding AcademyWomen Board Member and thanks to her leadership, meaningfully impacted the lives of more than 20,000 military members and program participants by developing strategic partnerships and programming that empowered current, former, and aspiring military women leaders to leverage their leadership skills to drive positive change locally, nationally, and globally. Jackie advises organizations with socially responsible missions and previously served as a logistics officer in the United States Army. Jackie is a graduate of the Unites States Military Academy at West Point and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Stefanie Goebel, Founding Board Member Emeritus
Stefanie was AcademyWomen’s inaugural eMentor Program Director and a founding member of AcademyWomen’s Board of Directors. Stefanie was in the first class of women to graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. She served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years as a General Unrestricted Line Officer (1100). Stefanie has over 15 years’ experience developing and implementing leadership and mentoring programs for both government and nonprofit organizations. Stefanie has an MA in Women’s Studies from the University of Arizona, an MA in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School and a BS from the Unites States Naval Academy.
AcademyWomen Ambassadors
Many thanks to our Ambassadors for their continued work and support of AcademyWomen.
- Monica Agarwal
- Mo Barrett
- Tammy Broadnax
- Pat Cerchio
- Elizabeth Chamberlain
- Eve Douglas
- Barbara East
- Linda “Kay” Emerson
- Alma Guzman
- Laura Hatcher
- Roccie Hill
- Odessa Maxwell
- Laurie Mosier
- Jill Rough
- Nikki Schuler
- Phyllis Schwartz
- Tammy Trychon
AcademyWomen Award Recipients
Many thanks to our award recipients who have significantly contributed to AcademyWomen’s mission to empower aspiring, current and past military leaders through mentoring, training, and growth opportunities to impact positive change locally, nationally and globally.
Thanks to their support, AcademyWomen programs have served over 20,000 diverse program participants and members over the past 20 years which have made a significant difference in the lives of our service members and their families.
We are deeply grateful and recognize your contribution to AcademyWomen and our nation.
Legacy Achievement Award
This award recognizes individuals who, during their lifetime, have made significant contributions by leaving a profound legacy to the world and within the community of military women.
- Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, U.S. Air Force, retired
Trailblazer Award
This award recognizes individuals who through their leadership example, have blazed new trails, thereby creating a more equitable world where women are better equipped to lead and serve as agents of change.
- Admiral Michelle Howard, U.S. Navy, retired
- Lieutenant General Lori Reynolds, U.S. Marine Corps, retired
Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes individuals who have consistently worked closely with AcademyWomen and have significantly assisted with the success of our mission.
- Secretary Barbara Barrett
- Donna Houle
- Odessa Maxwell
- Jim McMahon
- Diane Morales
- Kris Urbauer
Changemaker Award
This award recognizes individuals who have served as consistent allies in their steadfast and unwavering support of AcademyWomen, our mission, and the community of military and veteran women.
- Alan Bisenieks
- James Bogle
- Greg Jenkins
- Alaina Love
- Jamie Saure
- Marc Sheppard
- Bonnie Stabile
- Alex Verhulst
- Kevin Whirity
Partnership Award
This award recognizes organization that have served as a consistent ally in their steadfast and unwavering support of AcademyWomen, the community of military and veteran women, and their efforts to #StandWithMilitaryWomen.
- Center for Women Veterans
- Deloitte
- George Mason University, Schar School
- Leidos
- Travelers
- University of Southern California, Master of Business for Veterans